Waterlogging worries for Odisha as storm approaches

Cuttack: Anticipating heavy rains accompanying the severe cyclone “Hudhud” that is likely to affect parts of Odisha on Sunday, the administration here is worried about Cuttack city’s inherent problem of waterlogging.

With the drainage system of the city undergoing massive renovation currently, the district administration has asked the local civic body to remain alert with adequate pumps to remove water logging immediately from the low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has also undertaken a drive to de-silt the drains since Tuesday, a regular exercise that the civic body undertakes during pre-monsoon days.

“We are more worried about waterlogging problem of Cuttack city and have kept at least 200 pumps ready to remove the waterlogging from low-lying areas immediately,” said CMC Commissioner G R Das, adding, arrangements are in place to evacuate the people from affected areas to safer places.

Dogged by last year’s unfortunate incident in which some ruling party corporators allegedly looted relief materials in the aftermath of severe cyclone, the CMC authorities have decided that this time relief to the affected persons would be distributed by municipal staff.

In a review meeting taken by the district collector here yesterday, emphasis was put on ensuring “zero-casualty” in the district during the cyclonic storm. Officers of various departments have been instructed to ensure immediate restoration of road communication, tele-communication and electricity.